Live streaming has become increasingly popular, with most streamers presenting their real-
life appearance. However, Virtual YouTubers (VTubers), virtual 2D or 3D avatars that are …

This book would not have been possible without the help of many people. I am extremely
grateful for the support I received when I was grappling with the question of robot …

In this first book-length study of chindon-ya, Marié Abe investigates the intersection of sound,
public space, and sociality in contemporary Japan. Chindon-ya, dating back to the 1840s …

Japan has recently seen an upsurge in idol ikusei (nurturing) games: networked mobile
games where one nurtures and produces an idol pop group. These games are a significant …

Focus: Music in Contemporary Japan explores a diversity of musics performed in Japan
today, ranging from folk song to classical music, the songs of geisha to the screaming of …

This review article grounds itself in the advent of idol business in Thailand. The business
has originated in Japan and has business practices that differ from legacy entertainment …

The image of shōjo is largely conveyed through visual cues of dress, gesture, and
appearance. With the exception of the now well-documented Japanese Lolita fashion …

Vocal synthesizer programs such as Vocaloid use artificial intelligence to create humanlike
vocal tracks without human singers. These programs often tie their voice banks to animated …

This essay describes the new international division of cultural labor used by transnational
media corporations (TNMCs) that structurally consolidate and creatively coordinate local …

Each song lyric has a message that the writer wants to convey to the listener about what the
writer feels and thinks. This research discusses how Japanese female idols are represented …